Alleged DMX AttackerI Just Wanted to Hug the Guy!!!

1/15/2012 4:30 AM PST

Alleged DMX Attacker -- I Just Wanted to Hug the Guy!!!

The man who allegedly tried to choke out DMX on stage last week wants to clear his name -- telling TMZ, he never tried to attack the rapper ... he was simply trying to give him a hug, from one ex-con to another.

You probably don't recognize the guy -- but the alleged attacker is none other than underground skate legend Andy Roy ... and Andy claims he meant no harm when he jumped on stage at X's performance in Long Beach last Thursday, telling us, "I just wanted to give him a Top Ramen hug."

Andy says he lived off Top Ramen in jail -- and he wanted to give DMX a hug in solidarity, since the rapper was recently released from the clink as well.

According to Andy, it was all a misunderstanding -- adding, "DMX is sick man! RUFF RUFF RUFF!"